Re: [460] BASE dytter
In reply to:
More importantly, there have been several base deaths because of a loss of altitude awareness. Lee Werling for example.
After Lee died, I remember talking to one of the guys at the dz--someone I'd known since he started skydiving--who was just learning to base jump. Lee had been his teacher. In the course of the conversation, I said, "don't you count?"
He said, "Counting is for wussies."
I started as a static line student, tried a little AFF and went back to static line. After I had about seventy-five jumps, I stopped wearing an altimeter most of the time because by then I knew where I was. Seems to me that if you can't keep track of a minute's worth of seconds in your head--and for base, it's far fewer--you have no business walking out of the house in the morning, much less jumping out of an airplane or off an object.
As a technological wonder, Chris, it seems an interesting idea, but in another way, it is a lure for some people to go beyond their skill set. "I can do <insert amazing gymnastic feat> because I've got a little electronic marvel in my ear to warn me if I'm getting too low."
But I could be ignorant; the above was a quick and visceral reaction, mostly because of the mention of Lee. <extends invitation for masses to bestow enlightenment>
rl
